Village hold leaders Tivoli

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Despite fielding a team depleted by injuries to several key players, leaders Tivoli Gardens turned in a creditable performance on Sunday night to earn a 1-1 draw against Village United in their 2010-11 Digicel Premier League game at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay.

After benefiting from a spate of missed chances by Village, Tivoli grabbed a 75th-minute lead through Jermaine Taylor. However, Village stormed back three minutes later to share the points, courtesy of a Cordell Simpson strike.

"We did not play at full strength today because a number of players are out due to injuries," said Tivoli Gardens coach, Glendon 'Admiral' Bailey. "The replacement players did not apply themselves well, but having taken the lead late in the game, I believe we should have taken all three points."

Despite getting only one point from the game, Tivoli Gardens, who moved up to 30 points, remain leaders of the 12-team competition. Village United, who are unbeaten in the three matches since they switched home venue from Falmouth to Montego Bay, remain just outside the relegation zone on 15 points.

"The players gave a creditable performance, and while we were hoping to take all three points, a draw is a fair result," said Hopeton Gilchrist, the coach of Village United. "I believe our situation will change for the better if we start scoring more of the chances we create."

First-half dominance

In the first half, Village dominated the exchanges and got two glorious chances to take the lead in the 15th and 17th minutes. First, André Nickles lost possession in the goal area after breaking free and, second, Teofore Bennet fumbled inside the goal area and his team was denied another goal-scoring chance.

Mid-way the half, Tivoli Gardens missed back-to-back chances in the 27th and 30th minutes through Michael Blygen. First, he shot straight at the goalkeeper after getting away before the goal and, second, he fumbled badly after another breakaway. The half ended 0-0.

Five minutes into the second half, Village squandered yet another golden opportunity when Bennett miskicked on the edge of the area after turning sweetly before two defenders and opening up a clear shot on the goal.

With action swinging from end to end, Tivoli Gardens took the lead with the 75th-minute strike. The Village custodian was late in leaving his line for a through pass and Taylor pounced, firing powerfully past him to make the score 1-0.

Three minutes after the Tivoli Gardens goal, Village United pulled level. The ball rebounded from the Tivoli Gardens defensive wall following a free kick and the alert Simpson slammed home.

Other results: New boys Benfica returned to winning ways with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over St Georges at Drax Hall.

National striker Dever Orgill put St Georges ahead in the 31st minute, but former national player Garfield Reid pulled Benfica level with a 59th-minute penalty.

Everton Marsh then secured maximum points for Benfica, scoring in the 76th minute.

At Frome, title-chasing Waterhouse also dropped crucial points after playing to a 1-1 draw with Reno.

Veteran Fabian Blake gave Reno a 70th-minute lead before substitute Peter Keyes equalised for Waterhouse in the 76th minute.